No Cover Charge Podcast

In Episode 19 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with Ben Travers, a monster guitarist, thoughtful musician, and Grammy-nominated songwriter — for a deep, honest conversation about guitar, creativity, technique, and the mental side of being a musician.This episode goes far beyond chops. Ben opens up about insecurity, social anxiety, discipline, effective practice, alternate picking, theory vs feel, songwriting, touring realities, and what it really takes to keep growing as a guitarist in today’s world. Expect jaw-dropping playing, real talk, and practical insights you can apply to your own guitar journey.Whether you’re into shredding, blues, songwriting, or just love thoughtful guitar conversations, this episode delivers. Check out all things Ben Travers⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge. Plug in and hang out.

What an incredible year it's been! Although we only launched this show a few months ago, it feels like something we'll be doing for a long time, thanks to you, our guests, and the power of ROCK. We are humbled and grateful for all of your support, and we'll see you in 2026! Happy New Year!Love,Tyler & Jared⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge. Plug in and hang out.

In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols take on the timeless creative challenge: writing a song in an hour. With no plan, no pressure, and a room full of guitars, amps, and pedals, they build a rock song from scratch in real time.Watch as riffs turn into verses, choruses emerge organically, and a full song takes shape through tone chasing, odd time signatures, gear experiments, and pure musical instinct. This episode pulls back the curtain on the songwriting process, showing how musicians collaborate, problem-solve, keep it real, and follow inspiration wherever it leads.If you love guitar tone, songwriting, creative process, or watching music get made from nothing — this one’s for you. The song isn't half bad either ;)⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠Facebook⁠0:00 - Writing a Song in One Hour0:31 - Rules of the Songwriting Challenge0:48 - Guitar Pedals and Gear Overview1:38 - Choosing Guitars and Amps for Songwriting1:58 - How Guitar Tone Sparks Song Ideas2:29 - Cranking a Marshall for Riff Writing3:03 - Finding the Groove and Tempo3:54 - Building the Main Guitar Riff4:23 - Turning a Riff into a Song Structure5:04 - Songwriting Advice: Don’t Overthink It6:06 - Using Fuzz and Texture for Inspiration7:52 - Creating Verses and Choruses9:04 - Switching Guitar Amps for New Sounds10:34 - Using Alternate Tuning for Songwriting11:46 - Writing a Chorus That Hits Hard13:01 - Adding Harmony and Movement15:49 - Avoiding Blues Clichés in Rock Songs17:16 - Choosing the Right Drum Groove18:40 - Writing a Bridge That Creates Contrast22:28 - Experimenting with Odd Time Signatures24:57 - Locking in the Bridge Section25:38 - Preparing for Guitar Solos30:29 - Adding Ambient Guitar Layers38:09 - Final Song Structure Comes Together40:48 - Recording Guitar Solos47:05 - The Creative Process Explained51:40 - Final Song Reveal: Dr. DeathThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.Thank you to the sponsor of our show, ⁠Roswell Pro Audio!

Looking for the perfect gift for the guitarist in your life? In this holiday-themed episode of the No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols are joined by very special guest Marty Schwartz to share genuinely useful, fun, and inspiring guitar gift ideas at every price point.From must-have pedals and practice tools to clever stocking stuffers and tone-shaping essentials, this is not your typical guitar gift guide. Expect real talk, great stories, live playing, and thoughtful recommendations that guitar players will actually use.Perfect for beginners, serious players, and anyone shopping for a guitarist who already “has everything.”Thank you to the sponsor of our show, Roswell Pro Audio!0:00 - Holiday Episode Kickoff0:43 - Our first sponsor, Roswell Pro Audio2:45 - Why This Isn’t a Typical Guitar Gift Guide5:15 - Our VERY Special Guest Marty Schwartz Joins Us6:34 - Worst Guitar Gifts Ever (And Why They Miss)12:32 - Gift #1: Joe Bonamassa Guitar Back Scratcher14:57 - Gift #2: Guitar Technique & Exercise Books17:53 - Gift #3: This Precious Guitar Pick20:32 - Gift #4: Stylish Capos That Don’t Suck22:58 - Gift #5: Source Audio C4 Synth Pedal25:24 - Gift #6: Gristle King Dual-Gain Overdrive27:23 - Gift #7: Walrus Audio Jupiter Fuzz28:52 - Gift #8: D’Addario Micro Headstock Tuner31:09 - Should You Ever Buy a Guitar as a Gift?Wrap-Up & Reflections32:15 - Marty Schwartz on Gratitude and Teaching Guitar34:21 - The Real Impact of Guitar Education36:57 - Final JAM SessionGIFT LINKS!Source Audio C4 SynthGristle King Dual-Gain OverdriveWalrus Audio Jupiter FuzzD’Addario Micro Headstock TunerJoe Bonamassa Blues Rock BackscratcherSubscribe on Apple PodcastsThe No Cover Charge Podcast on SpotifyInstagramTikTokFacebookThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

In Episode 15 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols break down every phase of a guitarist’s life — from the first moment music grabs you to the highs, lows, gear spirals, plateaus, breakthroughs, and the reality of becoming a career musician. Expect hilarious stories, inspiring advice, honest struggles, and spontaneous riffing as Tyler and Jared reveal the universal stages all guitar players experience.Whether you’re in the pre-guitar awakening phase, deep in the obsession phase, stuck in the plateau phase, overwhelmed by gear acquisition syndrome, or pushing through the practice and discipline phase, this episode will feel like therapy… with more overdrive.Sit back, plug in, and enjoy a guitarist’s journey we all share.⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠TIMESTAMPS0:12 – Opening Jam in D, the People's Key1:37 – Introducing today’s topic: the phases of a guitarist’s life3:13 – PRE-GUITAR AWAKENING PHASE4:06 – Wanting to be a drummer first5:23 – Getting talked into guitar instead6:07 – Early sounds that “unlocked” the instrument7:28 – Discovering open-string magic9:03 – The Incubus/Mike Einziger influence10:03 – OBSESSION PHASE begins12:17 – Learning why players sound different13:35 – Unlocking nuance and tone16:20 – PLATEAU PHASE — when everything feels wrong21:15 – Rut-busting tricks and new tunings24:24 – Entering the GAS PHASE26:50 – First pieces of gear that changed everything29:20 – Gear expectations vs. reality31:13 – PRACTICE & DISCIPLINE PHASE33:55 – Berklee stories & formative experiences37:01 – Leaving the comfort zone39:01 – Jared’s Guitar Center “Horror Story”43:37 – The phase of becoming a CAREER MUSICIAN46:16 – Why we keep playing: the same feeling from day one47:53 – Walrus Audio Melee joystick pedal demo49:18 – Final jam & wrap-upBuy a Walrus Audio MeleeThe No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.